Vanilla and Chocolate Star Cookies

I have a feeling this is going to be a big year for me. I don’t know how but I know its going to be big- good big or bad big that I am yet to know, but it will be big.

Well, for one I turn 30 this year. Not for another 12 months though (considering I just turned 29 a few days back), but yes thats one big thing that’s definitely going to happen. No running away from that. It will happen this year whether I like it or not.

This is also the year I make no resolutions. Well basically no resolution to lose weight, since that’s the only resolution I make and break year after year. Instead I am putting a plan of action in place. A plan to eat healthy, to exercise, and if I am not able to do one or both, a plan to not fret about it too much. Just to pick up from where I left and get back when I can. Seriously there are bigger issues in hand than weight loss. But, yes being healthy will still be top priority. That means getting a good night sleep in, as much as I can. I can’t possibly expect myself to wake up early morning if I am up till late at night. A plan to fix that.

I am also putting in a plan to face my fears- not to live in the shadow of probable failures. Been there, done that. This year there is going to be none of that. Even if it means I fall flat on my face. Noses and faces can be fixed, but regret stays. And since we talking about regret. Not to keep any. Well, come to think of it, that I think I have already got covered. I seriously don’t have any regrets. I feel bad about certain things but I do not regret them happening, because every mistake that I have made has shaped me into the person I am today. I am not just saying it, I sincerely believe it. So that’s one thing in 2014 that I have to keep doing.

There’s also a plan to be happy. No matter what. And even if there is the occasional crying episode- that’s ok. A plan to embrace that with the happiness too. A plan to be ok with feeling weak sometimes, to falter, to make mistakes, to not be perfect. A plan to embrace the good with the bad, the black with the white, the vanilla with the chocolate.

Kind of like these cookies. (See how I got the whole thing to food and this recipe in particular, brilliant piece of writing this is :P.)

If you are like me and sometimes have difficulty in deciding whether you want to go with vanilla or take the chocolate route, these cookies are your answer.

Cream the butter and sugar and beat for 8-10 minutes until creamy and pale.

Add the egg and vanilla and beat for another 2-3 minutes or until well combined.

Add the flour and mix till a smooth dough forms. Do not over mix. Over mixing results in tough cookies.

Remove ⅔ of the dough. Set aside. Add the cocoa to the mixer and beat until well combined.

Roll each dough portion out between 2 sheets of parchment paper to 3mm thick and refrigerate for 30 minutes or until firm.

Preheat oven to 325F. Using a 7cm round cookie cutter (I used a fluted cutter since I do not own round cutters). Cut 8 rounds from the vanilla dough. Using a 4.5 cm star shaped cutter, cut stars from the cocoa dough and place on top of vanilla dough. I did some reverse ones with chocolate rounds and vanilla stars, because that's how I roll.

Place the cookies on a parchment lined baking tray and bake for 12-13 minutes or until lightly golden.

I love your New Year non-resolutions! Pretty similar to what I’m hoping to achieve. Nice segway into those beautiful cookies too!
Don’t worry, the big 30 is no-where near as scary as it seems
Happy New Year (and belated Happy Birthday) Shumaila!Deepa@onesmallpot recently posted..Ricotta, Sweet Potato and Chilly spread + Happy New Year!

i m not a resolution kind of person either because they fail and just overwhelms me..this is a great piece of writing I hope 2014 is even bigger and better than you have hoped for. And yes, cookies are the ultimate answer for all life problems. #mottofor2014Dixya @ Food, Pleasure, and Health recently posted..Black-eyed Peas Hummus (or dip)

I just loved your “plans” as much as I loved these pretty brown-n-white cookies. Wish you a very Happy New Year…hope this year turns out to be very good and lucky for you, dear!Purabi Naha | Cosmopolitan Currymania recently posted..Sausage Tart